Inside the music of Hapa vet Nathan Aweau

It’s a wild weekend in the Bay Area for fans of Hawaiian music, with so many choices — just look at tonight’s offerings: new traditionalists Waipuna and falsetto/slack-key artist Steven Espaniola at Pa‘ina Lounge in San Francisco; songbirds Melveen Leed and Nohelani Cypriano with Ho‘omana in Santa Clara to slack-key guitarist and vocalist Bobby Moderow of Maunalua at Live at the Cue in Concord.

But Hawaiiana and jazz/pop lovers should also save a spot on their schedule for a performance by Nathan Aweau, the former Hapa member, gifted vocalist and innovative composer who plays Club Fox in Redwood City Sunday and Don Quixote’s in Felton (near Santa Cruz) Tuesday. The O&#8216ahu-based musician’s last appearance in the Bay Area was in March, at an all-too-brief set at Yoshi’s with Owana Salazar that gave a tantalizing preview of his new work. Espaniola, who will be a special guest at the Sunday and Tuesday shows, interviewed Aweau for the latest installment of his “Anatomy of a Mele” blog, posted today and focused on “Uhiwai,” a song from Aweau’s upcoming album, “‘Io.”

Although it’s well worth following the link above to the full text, with Espaniola’s permission I’m including a few excerpts here because they capture the Hawaiian roots and impressive versatility of Aweau (whose tribute to his hometown of “KĀne‘ohe” is one of the catchiest songs to ever lodge in my head.) Espaniola’s questions are in bold, Aweau’s responses in italics.

“Uhiwai” has a very beautiful flow to it and is extremely powerful at first listen. There is an incredibly intimate feel to it that really brings the listener in. Can you tell me about the origin of the song and what inspired you to write it?

It is a song that I wrote for my parents who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. “Uhiwai” means heavy mist. In Hawaiian poetry (kaona), “uhiwai” can mean love and is used to describe love.
One morning I went out to the backyard and after a hard night of rain, the mist and clouds were surrounding the Ko‘olaus, as if it was hugging the mountains. Thus giving me the idea for this song.

Is there a particular method or mindset that you like to be in when you record?

I’ve done so many jingles, drops, arrangements for other artists, TV and radio, that I don’t really need to be in a certain zone (per se), except if I’m writing lyrics for my own solo project, then I’ll go into my “memory/fantasizing mode”, which usually takes me to my favorite place of focus, Kahana Bay.

Who is your biggest role model or influence in music?

Everything and anything I hear.

A lot of people aren’t aware that you worked with Don Ho for many years in Waikiki. How did that experience impact or influence the work that you’re currently doing?

The musicians I worked with while in the Don Ho band are some of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with. Thus every night was like a classroom session … my ears were wide open.

For more glimpses of Aweau’s music, check out the videos below — or better yet, get tickets to one of his concerts.